jumping Frenchmen of Maine syndrome

a culture-bound syndrome resembling latah, observed in lumberjacks of French Canadian descent living in Quebec and Maine. It is characterized by an extreme startle response involving yelling, imitative speech and behavior, involuntary jumping, flinging of the arms, and command obedience. Also called jumper disease of Maine; jumping disease. See also imu; myriachit.

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Psychology term of the day

March 18th 2025

Watson–Glaser critical thinking appraisal

a measure of critical thinking in which participants are asked to read and evaluate various statements, such as arguments, theses, problems, and interpretations. [Goodwin B. Watson (1899–1976) and Edward Maynard Glaser (1911–1993), U.S. psychologists]